Spring.



J. M. WAUGH.

SPRING.

APPLIOATION nun) 31111.20, 190s.

Patenised Jan. 5, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. M. WAUGH.

SPRING. v

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 20, 190B.

Patented Jan. 5,1909.

EEEEE UNITE ears exam I ion.-

SPRING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MILTON WAUGH, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Springs; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of referencethereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention is shown more particularly embodied as a railway truckspring, though adaptable for many other purposes.

Heretofore none of the springs extensively used for truck springswhether applied beneath the truck bolster or in the pedestal, or as anequalizing spring have satisfactorily carried the loads imposed thereonand sustained the constant vibration and shock due to the movement ofthe trucks or car along the track and in coupling. In consequence suchsprings though practically never loaded to near their elastic limit,soon lose their resiliency to such an extent as to prove of little valueeither in relieving the truck from the injurious effects of suchvibration and shock or relieving the roadbed from injury from the samecause. Crystallization of axles, car wheels, and other parts of thetruck inevitably results causing large expense for renewals and what ismore serious, causing a very large percentage of railway accidents.

The object of this invention is to provide a spring capable of perfectlyabsorbing the vibration and shock due to inequality in the track orother causes with a minimum vertical vibration of the car body.

It is also an object of the invention to minimize the recoil followingsuch shock and to provide a spring construction in which practically anydesired resistance, resiliency and capacity for shock absorption may besecured by varying the number of interchangeable, duplicate parts usedin con-' structing the springs and also to provide a construction inwhich though a high degree of resiliency is assured, the vibration andshock received is in large part absorbed frictionally, the spring alsofrictionally absorbing much of the attendent recoil.

Furthermore it is an object of the invention to provide a constructioncapable of being inserted in the space between the Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed January 20, 1908.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

Serial No. 411,575.

bolster and spring plank, and between the column bars of any standardtruck, thereby obviating the necessity of any change in standard andadapting the springs as well to old trucks as to new.

For the purposes of illustration the invention is shown applied as thetruck bolster springs in a standard diamond arch bar truck thoughobviously, the particular construction of the truck is immaterial andthe springs are as conveniently inserted in the pedestals of othertrucks.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and morefully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts omitted of acar truck provided with springs embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is atransverse, vertical section taken along the sides of the bolster andshowing the spring plank spring seat and spring casing partly in sectionand the springs at normal. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the springsunder maximum compression. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on line 44. ofFig. 2-. Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the spring casingshowing the same removed from the truck. Fig. 6 is an enlargedperspective view of one of the spacing blocks.

As shown in the drawings: A and A indicate respectively the truckbolster and spring plank of the truck, which for convenience is shown asa standard diamond arch bar truck. The spring plank A as shown, isbolted or riveted through the inverted arch bar B, and pedestal tie barI). The column bolts a extend as is usual through the arch bar 6,inverted arch bar B and pedestal tie rod 1) on each side of the bolsterand spring plank and secured thereon are the column guide bars a, whichbear closely against the side of the bolster and to which the flanges ofthe spring plank, in this instance shown as an inverted channel bar, arerigidly secured by riveting or the like. Rgidily secured within thechannel of the spring plank as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is a bolsterspring seat 0, which, in the construction shown, comprises a castingusually of malleable iron or steel, which extends above the spring plankfor a slight distance and at its top is rounded or convex in an arcapproximating the arc of the springs under maximum compression. The axisof said convexity is directed longitudinally the As shown, inasmuch asthe spring is truck.

constructed of two duplicate sets side by side, two of said convex orrounded seats are provided and these may or may not be cast orconstructed integrally, as preferred.

Seated above the bolster spring seat 0 and bearing against andsupporting the bolster, is the spring casing D. This, as shown, isrectangular in form and is provided on opposite sides ,with protrudingflanges d, between which engage the column guide bar. In the top of saidcasing inverted spring seats C are rovided which are shaped tocorrespond with the bolster spring seat 0, secured on the spring plank.These are directly above the bolster spring seats and have downwardlydirected, convex surfaces which bear 011 the middle portion of thesprings. The walls of said spring casing D extend downwardly as shown inFig. 4 to a point below the top of the bolster spring seat C, andextending transversely said casing is a central partition (1 separatingthe easing into two spring chambers or compartments. As shown, the outerwall d of the spring casing, when said casing is in place between saidbolster and spring plank, lies approximately in the vertical plane ofthe bolster end cap a if one is used, and the ends of the spring plankextend outwardly flush therewith affording practically a smooth finish.

In each compartment of the spring casing, as shown, is arranged aplurality of sets of duplicate, rectangular spring plates of uniformthickness. The number of said plates, of course, will vary with the loadthe springs are intended to sustain. In the construction shown each ofsaid compartments is provided with two sets E-E of six leaves or plateseach, between which is a spacing member comprising a web 9 of sheetsteel or other suitable material on each end of which is an inwardlytapering, wedge shaped, s acing block G. The taper of said spacing b ockis such as to permit the set of springs above and below the same, whenunder compression, to spring inwardly nearly to said web g, as s own inFig. 3. As shown an angle bar or stop 01 is riveted into each end ofsaid casing for the ends of the lower plates of the lower set of springsE in each compartment to bear thereon, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thisfacilitates assembling and also serves as a stop for the ends of saidlower spring plates and necessitates equal bending of the springs ofeach set.

The operation is as follows: Having applied the casing containing thespring plates sections or cushioning plates as before described, eitherin an old car truck or in a new truck, the lower sections E aresupported centrally upon the bolster spring seat C, while the weightsupported on the bolster is trans mitted to the middle of the upper setof plates E, the ends of which are su ported on the ends of the sectionE by tile spacing blocks G. I/Vhere two complete sets of springs areused they are separated by the partition d which may have one or moreprojections or lateral webs or ribs (1 which together with the sides ofthe casing, serve to maintain the plates of the respective sets at alltimes in proper position.

I/Vith the load supported and the springs in normal position as shown inFig. 2, the vibration due to the movement of the car upon the track isabsorbed readily by the respective spring plates comprising therespective sets of springs. These act not only through their resiliencyfor that purpose but as well acting frictionally for, obviously, withthe flat faces of the plates lying in contact under pressure for theirentire areas, much friction is produced when pressure is applied to saidsprings tending to compress the same. In other words, advantage is takenof the large area exposed to friction to assist in absorbing theordinary or extraordinary shock and vibrations due to the movement ofthe truck on the track. As the compression of the springs increases thedistances between the bearing or contact points near the ends of thesections and near the middle decreases as shown in Fig. 3, with theeffect of very greatly increasing the resistance to further compression,in consequence this shortening of contact distance and the increasingfriction resistance absorbs even the most excess ive shocks withoutapproximating the elastic limit of the spring plates. In the same mannerafter absorption of the shock, the recoil of the springs (which ofcourse, like the compression is to an extent dependent on the number andsize and quality of the plates comprising each set) is materiallyreduced and absorbed by the slight sli page of one plate upon anotherdue to the flhction of the plates so that violent recoil is impossible.Instead the springs gently raise the bolster to normal until againsubjected to compressive shocks.

Of course, I am aware that the arrangement, the number and the form ofthe individual plates and the grouping of plates may be varied. Itherefore do not purpose limit. ing this application for patentotherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A spring comprising a plurality of flat plates in contact for theirentire adjacent surfaces, a rounded bearing member engaging intermediatethe ends thereof, an inclined movable member on which the ends of theplates are supported the bearing member and inclined member being soshaped that distance between contacts decreases as compressive stressincreases.

2. A spring embracing a plurality of groups of superposed, duplicate,fiat plates in frictional contact for the whole of their adjacent faces,an inclined block for supporting each end of one group of plates, on theends of another group, means supporting said last named group of springsat the ends, a convex bearing member bearing oppositely against themiddle of each group, the curvature thereof and the inclination of theblocks being such that distance between central and end contacts rapidlydecreases as the spring is compressed, thereby increasing resistance,and friction between the plates.

3. A spring embracing oppositely disposed upper and lower seats, groupsof duplicate, flat, resilient plates interposed between said seats andon which said seats press oppositely, tapering removable spacing blocksengaging between the groups at the ends thereof, said spacing blocksbeing so arranged and shaped relatively each other and the seats thatthe distance between the bearings 011 said seats and spacing blocksdecreases as compression increases, thereby increasing frictionalresistance and also resistance to compression.

4. A spring embracing oppositely disposed upper and lower elongated,convex seats directed longitudinally of the truck, groups of resilient,flat plates interposed between said seats, the plates of each group infrictional contact for approximately their entire extent, inwardlyfacing, tapering, spacing blocks engaging between the end of each group,a flat plate or web connecting the spacing blocks, said seats and saidspacing blocks being so arranged and shaped relatively each other thatadjacent ends slightly overlap whereby distance between the bearing onsaid seats and spacing blocks decreases as compression increases,thereby increasing resistance to compression and frictional resistance.

5. A vertically acting spring embracing two groups of resilient, flat,duplicate plates, one superposed on the other, connected in wardlytapering spacing blocks separating said groups and supporting one on theends of the other, an elongated convex seat on which the lower grouprests at its middle, a corresponding convex bearing member rest ing onthe middle of the upper group and carrying the load whereby the distancebetween the bearings on said seat and bearing and said spacing blocksdecreases as compression increases, thereby acting with increasingfrictional resistance to increase re sistance to compression and absorbrecoil.

6. A spring embracing oppositely disposed upper and lower elongatedconvex seats, a casing integral with one of the same, groups ofresilient flat plates in frictional contact in each group interposedbetween said seats, inwardly tapering spacing blocks engaging betweenthe end of said groups, said seats and said spacing blocks being of suchlength and shape relatively each other that distance between the bearingon said seats and spacing blocks decreases as friction and compres-SlOIl mcreases, thereby increasing resistance to compression andabsorbmg recoil.

7. The combination with a car truck, its

sto on the lower flan e of the casin u on which the ends of the lowergroup rest.

8. The combination with a car truck, its

bolster, spring plank and the column bars on E opposite sides thereof ofa casing fitted to slide vertically between the column bars andaffording in its top a downwardly, convex,

elongated bearing, a convex bolster spring seat secured on the springplank beneath said convex bearing, groups of flat, duplicate plates insaid casing in friction bearing in each group and bearing on the springseat and said upper bearing, inwardly tapering, connected spacing blocksengaged between the ends of the groups and supporting the upper group onthe lower group and a rigid stop 011 the lower flange of the casing uponwhich the ends of the lower group of plates rests.

9. The combination with a car truck, its bolster, spring plank and itscolumn bars on opposite sides thereof of a downwardly opening casingfitted to slide vertically between the column bars, a downwardly convex,elongated bearing, in the top of the casing, a corresponding convexbolster spring scat, secured on the spring plank beneath said convexbearing, flat duplicate plates in frictional bearing for their entiresurface on adjacent sides and arranged in distinct groups in saidcasing, one bearing on the spring seat, the other supporting said upperbearing, inwardly tapering, connected spacing blocks engaged between theends of said groups, a rigid stop on the lower flange of the casing uponwhich the ends of the lower group of spring plates rest, said convexbearing and seat and spacing blocks being so proportioned as to increasefriction and resistance to compression as the load increases.

10. In a device of the class described the combination with a car truckof a spring casing interposed to support the superposed weight andsubstantially rectangular in form and affording a plurality of parallelspring compartments, a central, convex, downwardly facing bearin in eachcompartment and an inwardly projecting stop on the lower edge of thecasing adapted to afford a sup port for the ends of the springs.

&

11. In a device of the class described the combination with a car truckof a spring casing interposed in the frame to support the superposedweight, and substantially rectangular in form and affording a pluralityof parallel spring compartments directed longitudinally the bolster, acentral, elongated, convex downwardly facing bearing in eachcompartment, a corresponding bearing or seat on the frame, fiat,duplicate plates arranged in groups in each compartment, inwardlytapering, spacing blocks separating the upper from the lower groups andinwardly projecting stops on the lower edge of the casing adapted toafford a support for the ends of the lower group of springs in eachcompartment.

12. In a device of the class described the combination with a car truckof a spring casing interposed in the frame to support the superposedweight and substantially rectangular in form and affording a pluralityof parallel spring compartments, directed longitudinally the bolster, acentral, convex, downwardly facing bearing extended longitudinally ineach compartment, a corresponding bearing on the frame and two groups offlat, straight, resilient frictionally engaging plates in eachcompartment engaged centrally between said bearings, a tapering spacingblock between the ends of the groups and stops on the casing on whichthe ends of the lower group rest.

13. In a device of the class described the combination with convexspring seats of a casing adapted to fit over the same and between thecolumn bars, parallel, central convex bearings therein directly abovethe spring seats, a longitudinal partition in said casing between saidseats and bearings, upper and lower groups of frictionally engagingduplicate spring plates in each compartment respectively engagedcentrally by the bearing in the casing and on the spring seat, andconnected inwardly tapering, spacing blocks engaged between the ends ofeach pair of groups and stops at the bottom of the casing on which theends of the lower groups rest.

14. A spring comprising upper and lower elongated convex bearings,inwardly tapering connected spacing blocks and two groups of unconnectedduplicate flat plates in frictional bearing in each group for theirentire adjacent surface and separated by the spacing blocks, said groupsbeing oppositely engaged centrally by said convex bearings.

15. A spring comprising straight, flat, resilient unconnected plates infrictional bearing for their entire adjacent surfaces, inwardly taperingloosely supported blocks on which the ends of the group of plates rests,and an elongated convex bearing supported on the middle of said group,said blocks and said bearing being so proportioned that distance betweenbearing contacts decreases as compression increases.

16. In a device of the class described a casing, agroup of springstherein adapted one to slide over another, movable means supporting thegroup of springs at the ends thereof, a group of springs supporting saidmeans and means rigidly secured to the casing for supporting the secondnamed group of springs at the ends thereof.

17. In a device of the class described a casing, a group of springstherein adapted one to slide over another, movable means supporting thegroup of springs at the ends there of, a group of springs supportingsaid means, means rigidly secured to the casing for supporting thesecond named group of springs at the ends thereof, and convex bearingmembers, one movable and the other nonmovable.

18. In a device of the class described a movable casing, a bearingmember movable therewith, a group of spring plates bearing at the centeragainst said bearing member, an inclined spacing block supporting eachend of the group of plates, a group of spring plates supporting thespacing blocks and means supporting the second named group of plates atthe ends thereof.

19. In a device of the class described a movable casing, a bearingmember movable therewith, a group of spring plates bearing at theircenter against said bearing member, an inclined facing block supportingeach end of the group of plates, a group of spring plates supporting thespacing blocks, means supporting the second named group of plates at theends thereof and a rigidly supported bearing member supporting thesecond named group of plates at the middle thereof.

20. In a device of the class described a casing, a plurality of groupsof spring plates therein and a spacing member between the groups ofspring plates and movable to equalize the strain on all the groups ofsprings.

21. In a device of the class described a casing, groups of independentlymovable springs therein comprising plates in frictional engagement,bearing members in the casing convex on the side adjacent the respectivegroup of springs, and movable spacing members in the casing separatingone grou of springs from another adapting the midd e of the groups tocompress toward each other.

22. In a device of the class described a casing, superposed groups ofsprings therein, independent means supporting each group of springs atthe ends only and bearing members each convex on its side facing theadjacent group and bearing against the outer side of the respectivegroup at the center thereof and one of said bearing members movable withthe casing, the other stationary.

23. In a device of the class described a groups of spring plates, meansseparating the superposed groups of plates and a convex bearing memberbearing against each group of plates.

1n testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof tWo subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES MILTON WAUGH.

\Vitnesses:

K. E. HANNAH, LAWRENCE REIHTEIN.

